EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern tied a season-high with 14 shots Sunday against Ohio State but was unable to capitalize on its chances as the Buckeyes scored twice in the second half for the 2-0 victory at Lakeside Field.

"I know our team's not happy with the result, but I told them there are a lot of things to still be encouraged about," Northwestern head coach Michael Moynihan said. "I'm not much for moral victories ... but there are a lot of things that are getting better. Ohio State's another team who was in the NCAA tournament last year, they were in the final eight two years ago and they're typically at the top of the Big Ten, Anyone I think that watches this game today can see that Northwestern is right there with them. Had we finished a couple of our chances, the game might have been over. There's a lot to be hopeful about, there's also some things we certainly need to adjust."

Ohio State got out to a quick start with the 4-1 advantage on shots and had three corner kicks in the first 12 minutes of the match, but did not find the back of the net on its early chances. The Wildcats flipped the script for the remainder of the half, limiting the Buckeyes to just one more shot and had seven chances of their own.

Kate Allen and Sami Schrakamp worked well together on offense in the first half, setting each other up with quality looks. On NU's first look of the game, Allen drove down the far right side of the field and sent a ball into the box that was headed just wide right by Schrakamp. Later in the half, it was Schrakamp's turn to dish to Allen whose shot was saved by Rachel Middleman.

Allen had another great look in the first half from inside the 6-yard box that just skimmed past the left post.

Schrakamp (four shots) and Allen (three) combined for seven of NU's eight chances in the first half while Julie Sierks had the other shot off a rebound that went wide left.

Ohio State generated 10 chances in the second half and scored two goals, both by Tiffany Cameron. OSU's first goal came in the 58th minute and the Buckeyes went up 2-0 in the 74th minute.

NU had six chances in the second half to tie its season-high with 14 shots (14 vs. Yale, 9/9). Ohio State finished the match with 15 shots, seven of which were on goal. Schrakamp and Cameron led all players with six shots while Allen finished with four.

"I'm happy we're creating chances and I'm confident some of those chances will start to go (in)," Moynihan said. "We've already had a lot more goals than we did in the past and I think that will continue to improve. I think Sami gave us some real spark today and she has the last couple of games. She's been very dangerous in generating some good service in wide spaces."

NU sophomore goalkeeper Anna Cassell had a busy day, making five saves, four of which came in the second half. OSU's Middleman made two saves in the first half and the Buckeyes switched keepers at the break as Jillian McVicker stopped a shot in the second half and was credited with the win.

Northwestern continues the conference season next weekend, making its first Big Ten road trip. The Wildcats take on Purdue on Friday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. CT and face Indiana on Sunday, Sept. 30 at noon CT.